Australia has officially enacted significant gambling reforms aimed at protecting individuals struggling with addiction. These measures include stricter limitations on wagering promotions and the establishment of an opt-out mechanism for gambling advertisements.
The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 received approval from the Parliament on August 19, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) assigned to oversee its implementation.
The legislation mandates that gambling operators identify customers exhibiting early signs of gambling addiction and subsequently restrict their betting options. Specific guidelines, to be defined through regulations, will govern these actions.
A key component of the new reforms is the introduction of Adstop. This online gaming advertisement registration facility will work in tandem with the existing BetStop system. Under the new rules, operators cannot offer incentives to customers who have recently exited BetStop, specifically if they left the program within the last three months.
Additionally, gambling providers are prohibited from promoting offers to new customers during their initial two weeks of registration. While these reforms take effect, ACMA will continue to monitor and take action against unauthorized gambling service providers.
